States currently have laws which allow for automatic loss of nationality, the
international legal principles which govern these grounds are examined in
the following paragraphs.
One relatively common ground for loss of nationality is where it is based on
possession or acquisition of a foreign nationality. However, this justification
for loss of nationality is becoming more rare, as people are migrating more
frequently and States recognize that individuals may have enduring ties
to more than one nation.94 In 1960, the voluntary acquisition of another
citizenship led automatically to the loss of the citizenship of the country of
origin in approximately one third of all countries.95 As of 2018, the number
of States that allow citizens to acquire the nationality of another country
without the automatic loss of nationality of their country of origin has grown
to approximately seventy five percent.96 In line with this global trend, some
LAS member States have laws which allow for dual citizenship. Despite the
global movement towards laws which allow for multiple nationalities, many
States, including some LAS member States, provide for loss of citizenship
upon possession, acquisition of, or application for a foreign nationality.
As per the principles outlined in the 1961 Convention, and otherwise
widely accepted in complementary areas of international law, acquisition,
possession of, or application to possess another nationality should never
leave an individual stateless. If a provision prohibiting dual nationality exists
or is enacted, States should ensure that they do not allow the withdrawal of
nationality to take effect before an individual acquires another nationality,
or, alternatively, that the loss of nationality is void if the individual concerned
fails to acquire the new nationality within a fixed period of time, such as
one year.97 States may also adopt this measure in relation to the voluntary
renunciation of nationality. This precaution would help to ensure that women
who renounce their citizenship in situations where they marry, or intend to
marry, a foreign man are not left without a nationality. Many LAS member
States have adopted positive measures to this effect.98 Another approach
to ensure that individuals are not left without a nationality, is for States to
provide for the facilitated reacquisition of nationality upon application by a
former citizen.
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